Designed by Vancouver architect James Cheng, it’s one of the tallest downtown buildings at 66 storeys, and with a glass, stone and brick exterior that appears to zip up one side and ripple down another, thoroughly modern. That’s the yang.

The yin (literally ‘shady place’ in Taoist philosophy) is the heritage components the Shangri-La towers over. Such as Bishop’s Block, a row of brick townhouses built in 1830 in what was considered “fashionable Adelaide St.” And the 1908 South African War Memorial with its granite obelisk and allegorical winged figure on University Ave.

The hotel and condo complex — which includes the rebuilding of Bishop’s Block — is dramatically changing the streetscape, says Michael Braun, marketing manager of Shangri-La developer Westcorp. And yet, it will appear to be a “natural coming together over time,” with heritage brick at the corner juxtaposed against glass tower with its intriguing angles at street level, outdoor café, and an extraordinary art installation. Most other downtown towers, Braun points out, go straight up from the street, and can only be differentiated by their signage.

It’s the piece of public art, however, that will really distinguish the building. Slated to be unveiled May 5, it stands to be on a par with the Crystal at the ROM in terms of significance. The 20-foot high brushed stainless steel sculpture, by internationally known artist Zhang Huan and titled Rising, depicts an upside down branch out of which a flock of birds take flight up the building and into the lobby. It appears to be pink in the renderings, but we won’t really know until it’s unveiled May 5. What is known is that the sculpture promises to inject an Asian delicacy and femininity into Toronto’s serious downtown core, demonstrating that nature insinuates itself wherever it — or art — wills.

“Rising” is also an indicator of the level — and type — of luxury one can expect in both hotel and residences. For starters, a restaurant will open by Momofuku and founded by celebrity New York chef David Chang. Condo residents can avail themselves of any hotel amenity, including room service from the five-star hotel restaurant, as well as maid service, use of The Spa, concierge and valet parking, limousine service, indoor pool and hot tub, 2500 square foot fitness facility, corporate function rooms and banquet rooms, 40-seat screening room.

Service Asian-style is the brand, says Braun. “Check any Conde Nast Traveller magazine and you’ll see that Asia is known to have the best hotel service in the world … it’s their values of communal culture, quiet discipline and caring.”

That translates well into the condo residences, too, he says. These days, hotels pair up with condo residences because as Braun explains, “it’s hard to make the economics work to build a five star luxury hotel on its own.” Construction costs work out to almost $1 million per hotel room, so the condo can help subsidize the build cost, plus residents have the benefit of enjoying all the amenities that are part of five star living — access to all doorman, concierge, room service, maid service, and being able to head downstairs for dinner, without walking outside.

The residences, too, are all about luxury, especially the ultimate luxury of space. Condos begin where the hotel leaves off — at floor 17 — and range in size from 818- to 4808-square feet, with two level penthouses on the top floors at 3350-square feet each.

A refreshing change from normal high end fare, the 1833 square foot model suite is not only large, but airy and open, with the Boffi (Italy) wood kitchen as centre hub, and dining, living and family room areas radiating out from there. This kind of layout affords great flow — even with sunlight flooding through the floor to ceiling windows, it’s easy to imagine a well attended evening event, city lights twinkling at your feet.

It’s also easy to see why the layout and design is such a game changer for the luxury market. Its designer, Anwar Mukhayesh, whose name was put forward by one of Braun’s colleagues, is part of the hip and young The Design Agency — and was one of the three Designer Guys on the popular HGTV show.

Mukhayesh started with the kitchen — sleek wood cabinets, Miele and SubZero appliances — and designed the spaces around it. It dictated the spaces around, including the dining area which he placed between the kitchen and the double balcony doors so dining would feel like “sitting in an outdoor pavilion.” In like fashion, he selected modern furnishings — a white Saarinen tulip dining room, birch chairs and slim white-lacquer consoles against the wall.

Having two fireplaces also helped determine the seating of gathering spaces — living and family room. One fireplace is on a large support pillar at the end of the kitchen run of cabinetry, facing the windows — this is where Mukhayesh placed the living “room.”

It’s always a little tricky to create living rooms in situations like this with so many windows, Mukhayesh says, because there are no walls to anchor the furnishings. But rather than depend on walls to define space, he used floor lamps, area rugs and furniture. In the living area, for example, the gently curved back of the purple Arne sofa (from B&B Italia) nestles snugly into where the two window banks meet. Though the purple is soft and heathery — also a brand colour for Shangri-La — he has toned it down further with grey throws and cushions and paired with two modern chairs from Kiosk.

Delving deeper into the suite, and around the “corner” of its L-shaped configuration, Mukhayesh placed the family room. It too has a fireplace, and to further enhance the intimacy, he wallpapered the fireplace wall in a black damask.

Although the Shangri-La brand is best known as international modern or minimalist style, Mukhayesh says he incorporated traditional pieces to add the unexpected and to infuse the space with warmth: tufted oversized leather sofa in the family room; a large button-tufted ottoman; spindle-turned glass legs on the coffee table which rest on a cowhide rug; a cream Barbara Barry like chair in the living room.

While the two bedrooms are meant to be oases away from the public space, one of them plays with small doses of boldness in the same way — a bright blue blanket and two purple pillows are all it takes in a soft grey room. And in the bathroom, a photograph of picnickers on a Mediterranean beach introduces colour into the pale grey and white marble tiled bathroom.

Like the block in which the condo is situated, the suite’s juxtaposition of eclectic elements lend a sense of having been there awhile. It’s extravagant for sure, but understated at the same time. A lot of that comes from the Shangri-La brand, but some of the credit is due Mukhayesh and his own eclectic background: a degree in engineering; a long family history in the restaurant business — Kensington Kitchen here in Toronto and Citrus in Paris. Mukhayesh seems to know how to make people feel both celebrated and comfortable — likely one reason he was also contracted to design the five-star Momofuku Restaurant.

The residences, priced anywhere from $993,500 to $9,332,500, for unit sizes of 1537- to 4431-square feet, are appealing to a wide variety of buyers — first time buyers who work on Bay St, downsizing local couples, international families interested in Toronto’s educational opportunities, Braun says. With 80 per cent of the suites sold, Braun is feeling confident about Toronto’s market and economy, and its ability to support and willingness to embrace luxury hotel/condo projects. And with three such neighbours close by — Trump, Four Seasons, and the Ritz — the Shangri-La is in good company.

The sales centre is at 200 University Avenue, Suite 301, open Mon to Thurs and weekends 12 to 5, and closed Fridays. 416-599-0333 or 1-866-599-0333; info@livingshangri-latoronto.com

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